Not Another Visa Disaster!

18 July 2011 08:42

Has Alan Pardew got the hardest job in the Premier League? Yohan Cabaye has become the third Newcastle player to be denied an entry visa to the United States. Summer signing Yohan Cabaye has become the third Newcastle player to be denied an entry visa for the club's pre-season tour of the United States. Pre-season is ONE game old, and Friday night's friendly at Darlington, was marred by a pitch invasion that escalated into violent scenes that brought shame to the club. Indeed, it needed Pardew and number two John Carver to come on to the pitch and calm things down enough for the match to be completed following a 10-minute delay. As a result, with the new season still a month away, managing director Derek Llambias was forced to make a most public apology and Newcastle could be fined. Two players were injured in the friendly; Joey Barton and Nile Ranger were refused visas to go on the American trip; and now another bombshell for the Toon boss. Press Association Sport understands the 25-year-old Frenchman, a £4.8million arrival from Lille, did not join the rest of the travelling party when they headed across the Atlantic on Sunday. Cabaye's absence is understood to relate to a minor issue which has now been resolved. Cabaye will now go to Holland with the reserves. It has proved a difficult few days for Newcastle, who vowed over the weekend to take action against travelling fans who invaded the pitch during Friday night's opening friendly victory at Darlington. Newcastle head to Kansas ahead of Wednesday's opening game of the tour against Sporting Kansas City at Livestrong Sporting Park. They will continue their preparations when they face Orlando City on Sunday and Columbus Crew next Tuesday.